The Ottawa Senators are headed towards second base in their bid to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats.
Senators owner Michael Andlauer, speaking for the first time publicly since the club purchased 11 acres of land in August from the National Capital Commission for a new home, told reporters on Monday that progress is being made in a bid to get the deal across the finish line.
Andlauer spent Sunday at the Rogers Centre watching the Toronto Blue Jays score a 13-7 victory over the New York Yankees and used a baseball analogy when it came to describing where the project stands.
“We haven’t hit a home run yet, but we’re at first base and we’ve got a really good lead to go to second base,” Andlauer said. “Someone has got to play small ball to win.
“But I think that’s what we’re going to do and we don’t want to take a step backwards. The NCC is a willing partner in this and realizes that we can do something special together.”
Postmedia has reported that the Senators agreed to pay $37 million to purchase the parcel of land from the NCC, which is located just 10 minutes West of Parliament Hill.
The next steps in the project include zoning, design and approvals, as well as decontamination of the land parcels along with negotiations with Indigenous groups. Steps have been taken in those areas.
Andlauer said the members of the development committee in his ownership group — which includes Neil and Shawn Malhotra of Clairidge Homes — met with an architect for the design of the site on Friday.
The site is expected to include 2,200 housing units, a hotel and an Ice District, which will be made up of bars and restaurants.
“We had the architect come in and make a presentation on the region,” Andlauer said.
Progress also has been made in talks with representatives of the Algonquins of Ontario, who represent the Indigenous groups.
“I had a meeting with the Algonquins the week before. I think there were 15 of us, either live or via Teams,” Andlauer said. “And to me, it’s about a learning process. It’s truly a collaborative initiative and understanding.
“Interestingly enough, I think the Algonquins can play a big part in this. You know, when you come into Ottawa, when I went up Preston St., what did I see? A big sign that says Little Italy. When you go a little further, you see Chinatown. I don’t see anything that says Algonquin. So for me, I think it’s an opportunity to, like I said, work together and do something special.”
A key area that remains is the financing of the building.
The new arena in Calgary is being built by the Flames in a partnership that includes the city and the province of Alberta.
The cost is north of $1.2 billion, which is being funded by 27% by the province, along with $537 million from the city and another $356 million from the owners of the Flames.
The city of Ottawa will play a role in the building of a new rink. They won’t be alone, either, because the expectation is that Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government also have been approached.
Will there be taxpayer money involved? Andlauer was speaking at the groundbreaking for the expansion of the Laiterie de l’Outaouais on Monday, which included investments from the city of Gatineau, along with the provincial and federal governments.
The Laiterie is undergoing a $17-million expansion and modernization.
“I think as long as there’s an investment in the future, just like we’ve done, I don’t know if it’s taxpayers’ money, but it’s an investment by three levels of government to do an expansion for the future. To me, it’s a slam dunk,” Andlauer said.
“You’ve got a young entrepreneur like (Laiterie owner) Yannick (Bouchard), who’s progressive and looking at what’s in the best interests (of the city) and growing, I think that we have to have the same mindset going into this.”
Andlauer said representatives of the organization have spoken with all three levels of government. He and club president Cyril Leeder have met with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
“There have been some discussions and are continuing between (government relations) and firms and the likes,” Andlauer said. “I think people need to understand this: This is not my arena. This is Ottawa’s arena and I don’t need to own it. I want to do something that is going to be special for this community, for the Outaouais region.”
Andlauer is confident that this deal will get done.
“It was frustrating at the beginning, but I feel there’s good momentum now, and I think the NCC realizes that there’s a really great opportunity, and the timing is excellent right now to create something special for our capital city,” Andlauer said.
“So I’m optimistic. We’re working hard, and it’s going to be an incredible collaboration and investment in the future.”
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